A/N: Warnings: AlexWrath. Brain bleach will be needed. There will be smut. Don't blame me, blame Winds of Water! This is her birthday gift.
"What? Edward Elric is missing?" Alex's head jerked up like a dog offered a treat. "This is disastrous!" He stood. "I must join the efforts to find him!" He stood, his chair and desk knocked away by his bulk. He ripped off his shirt. "For the Strong Arm Alchemist has never let a comrade vanish without a thought!" He thundered.
Brigadier General Mustang winced. "Yes, Major Armstrong, I know. And yes, please, come with us. We could use another alchemist."
Alex frowned. One would never expect it, but Alex Louis Armstrong was extremely observant. He noted the dark circles under Mustang's eyes- or, rather, eye, he couldn't see the other. Mustang had taken to wearing a rather large eyepatch. Mustang looked almost old, as if he had aged years in just the week since Edward had gone missing. Alex knew why, too. Mustang had searched for the younger alchemist, covered up for him, did countless things to help out the alchemist, and Edward never noticed them.
Alex did, and he knew Mustang's secret.
Mustang had fallen in love with Edward Elric.
It didn't really surprise him. Edward was very attractive, after all, and although he'd thought Mustang was straight at first, well, it all really depended on the person. Alex knew he was completely gay, and made no effort to hide it, but he never denied the possibility of falling for a woman.
He clapped Mustang on the shoulder. "I will do all in my power to bring your life's true love back to you." Normally, he would have shouted such a thing, but he knew Mustang would not appreciate something like that. After all, what if someone heard?
Mustang's eyes went wide. "What?" He asked. "How did you know?" He didn't bother denying it. Alex knew that Mustang knew that Alex was far too intelligent – if eccentric- to be put off by denial.
Alex smiled reassuringly at the Brigadier General. "Simple observation!" He rumbled. "The way you always look after him! Breaking the law to keep him safe! Sending your own money into his bank account when he runs low! Counteracting the Fuhrer's orders just to help him! Giving him the missions that bring him closer to his goal!" He felt hot tears gushing over his cheeks, faking the emotions he'd mastered so perfectly. Oh, he certainly felt them, but not to the extent he pretended. It was better that way. "It moves me more than I can say!" He grabbed Mustang and pulled him into a crushing hug. "Say no more! I will help, and you have no need to ask!" He dragged the gasping alchemist out the door, heading towards... somewhere.
He stopped, dropping Mustang's arm. "Eh... where are we going?" He asked.
Mustang groaned, leaning against the wall of the hallway that had instantly emptied on seeing the alchemists arrived.
After all, Alex thought, no one wants to be nearby if the great Flame Alchemist started snapping.
X
"To think such a great secret lay hidden under central!" Armstrong declared.
Roy sighed. If he weren't such a great alchemist, I probably would have gotten out my gloves. He reflected. But we need to find Edward, and I need as many alchemists as Grumman will spare.
Unfortunately, that wasn't many. Roy had quickly discovered that Grumman was already overtaxed with the need for alchemists, and couldn't spare the team Roy needed.
Really, he hadn't been able to spare Roy or Armstrong, either. The two of them and Riza had taken a sick day and gone on their own to the place Edward had vanished, with only Black Hayate to track him. Luckily, the dog knew Edward's scent almost as well as his own, which made things easier. Al had been in no shape to tell them anything- he didn't even remember Roy or anyone he had met. His memories were completely gone, leaving them with only the dog.
Sometimes, Roy really thanked God that he'd given the dog to Riza. Under his tutelage, Black Hayate would probably never have reached his full potential.
"We should split up." He said out loud. "Riza, you and I will go west. Major Armstrong, go east."
"Shouldn't I go elsewhere as well?" She asked.
"No." He shook his head. "Each team needs an alchemist."
"But what about Black Hayate? Each team needs a tracker." She argued.
Armstrong clapped her on the shoulder. "At this point, that is unnecessary. We are searching for clues, not Edward Elric himself. Clues could be anywhere." He explained.
Roy nodded. "Exactly. Now, let's go!"
x
Alex watched the pair walk away. "Oh, poor Mustang! With no hope of finding his love!" He whispered. He turned and started running. He really did sympathize. Alex himself had no hope of it, after all, who could fall for the infamous Strong Arm Alchemist?
He wandered for what must have been hours. The only clues he could find were odd areas that looked as if they'd been bitten, and even odder areas that looked as if acid had burned away at them.
If there is a very strong creature here, I must be careful. He thought. He continued walking, slipping on his gauntlets.
That's when he found the first clue.
The first door to the largest building stood open. Since all the other buildings were closed off or in ruins, this was different. Interested, he walked inside.
An opera theater? He thought, stunned. The electricity still worked, too! It gave him an idea of just how damned old this place must be- there had been no opera theaters since the 1500s. It had died out along with Christianity and the Armstrong gift of dancing. What a loss! A loss! He wasn't even sure himself which he was talking about.
He went deeper into the building, finding himself growing more and more curious. Here, a bookshelf full of new books- or, at least, much newer than they should have been, dating only to circa 1750 and later.
He entered the last room and froze.
A boy with long brown hair raised his head. He was curled up on a small makeshift cot. Alex recognized him instantly- the Homunculus that was Izumi Curtis's son.
He looked terrible. One of his arms and one of his legs was missing, and his clothing was torn and stained. A stench of sweat filled the room, testifying that the boy hadn't seen a shower in too long. His eyes narrowed.
"What kind of cruel soul would leave such a young boy here to die!" He rumbled. He strode forward.
The boy's eyes widened, and he started to look slightly nervous.
"Worry not, young one! I, Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong Arm Alchemist, will protect you! For many years, my family has taken in countless like you! You will be received with welcome!" He dropped to his knees. "Come, allow me to see to your wounds! The gift of alchemical healing has passed down through my family for years, since my great ancestor Amelia Armstrong, the Healing Alchemist!"
The child nodded slowly. "Okay." He said. Alex could tell the boy hadn't spoken in at least a week, and hadn't had enough water. His voice was raspy and cracked.
Easily remedied. He was an alchemist, after all, and there was plenty of hydrogen and oxygen in the air.
He scratched a quick circle in the ground and activated it, and quickly formed a cup out of the stone. "First, would you like some water?" He asked.
"Yes. Please." The child added on hurriedly.
So he remembers his manners. Good child! Another circle, and he handed the cup of water to the child, who drank greedily. I wonder where he learned them? As far as I am aware, he did not exactly spend much time with his mother. Maybe the other Homunculi? I don't see why they'd have any use for manners, though.
He's beautiful. Alex finally caught of the Homunculus's face. He instantly backtracked. What the hell? He's a child!
"Thank you." The child said. His voice sounded better already.
Alex smiled. "Here, allow me to clean you up." He said, already scratching a circle into the ground.
"Yes, sir."
Alex dispensed of the dirt on the child. He stood. "I will carry you to my home, then, where you will be welcomed with high honors!"
The child just looked at him.
Alex gave the boy his sparkliest smile. "No need to be so quiet!" He ripped off his shirt and flexed his muscles. "I, Alex Louis Armstrong, am here to protect you!" The child really did bring out his protective instincts- he had warm blue eyes, an open face, and straggly brown hair that just made you want to take him home and give him milk and cookies.
So Alex decided that would be the first thing he'd do as soon as the child was in Armstrong manor.
Wrath was about to be spoiled rotten.
X
Wrath had long since realized the man was insane.
Even now, being fitted for artificial limbs, he kept glancing over to where the large man was. The man, Alex, had been hovering over him every second possible, only stopping his careful watching to speak to the Flame Alchemist. Then he'd been right back to it.
Wrath had never seen this kind of devotion- even from Izumi. After all, she had wanted to kill him, right? That's not devotion. Izumi, he knew, had loved him, but how could he trust someone who only intended on eventually ending his life?
How could he trust anyone, really? He was a Homunculus, an artificial human. Everyone he'd met had tried to kill him eventually. Even other Homunculi.
And yet, he wanted to trust Alex. The man had actually helped him, without asking for anything- yet.
Who knew what kinds of things he would ask for in return, though? The man obviously had no inclination to women, and Wrath knew he was considered attractive for his obvious age. And it wasn't like he could trust him- who could he trust? No one.
Edward had tried to kill him. Alphonse, even though he'd been nice at first, had actually wanted to rip Wrath's arm and leg off. Izumi had tried to kill him. Envy had manipulated him and eventually left him for dead. Dante had left him for dead. Gluttony... well, it wasn't really his fault, but the betrayal stung anyway. And mama... mama had been killed. Mama hadn't left him. Mama had loved him. Even if she hadn't really trusted him.
He'd just have to keep reminding himself not to trust Alex. If the man ever found out what he was, after all, he would probably either try to kill him or would take him apart to experiment on. Unless he already knew? They had seen each other before, after all.
But for now, the man was giving him limbs, food, and a place to stay that wasn't filled with creepy things.
Okay, I know, I'm a big bad-ass homunculus. But spiders still scare the shit out of me.
Okay, maybe I'm not that bad-ass. I don't even have alchemy anymore.
He sighed bitterly. Alchemy had been the one thing going for him, and even that was gone. Maybe Alex will teach me something. From all he's said, he has quite a few talents. And, he's an alchemist, so I at least have someone to talk about it to! He thought. And at least I won't be stuck down there waiting for my Stones to wear out so I can die.
He blinked as the blonde lady fitting him sat up. "You're the same size as Edward. I have plenty of automail arms and legs for these same limbs, and you're even the same size!" She said cheerfully. "I hope he won't mind me using one! I can make more before he gets back, hopefully." She stood up. "Let me go get them!"
Wrath nodded and brushed his hair out of his face. You know, He thought crossly, If my hair didn't grow back so fast, I'd just cut it. His hair stayed in the same state constantly. He'd tried cutting it before, but it had just grown right back. It had been really annoying. I'll probably end up putting it in a ponytail or a braid or something. Not a braid, that's too much like Edward's. He thought. And he never even gave me a chance. He frowned.
"It's not my fault." He whispered.
Alex knelt in front of him. "What's not your fault, little one?"
Wrath blinked, surprised. "I..." He faltered. "I don't wanna talk about it." He muttered.
Alex smiled gently, eyes suspiciously bright. "Poor child. No..." He looked Wrath in the eyes, something that startled Wrath on it's own. People might meet his eyes, but they usually looked right away- not because he was scary, but he was apparently completely forgettable. "You haven't ever been a child, have you?" The man asked.
Wrath felt his eyes widen, staring into Alex's eyes- blue, almost the opposite of his normal brown. His eyes started to burn.
Am I about to cry? No, no, no, I won't cry! Showing weakness only makes it easier for people to hurt me. He forced back the tears and settled a mask over his face. "No." He said. "I have never been a child." It was true, he realized, and in more ways than one- physically and mentally. After all, he was the equivalent of a twenty year old mentally, after having spent all that time in the gate. And physically, though he might look like a child, he wasn't human. Could he be considered a child?
Of course, Alex had to ruin the introspective moment. "Then, allow me to help you with that!" He roared. Wrath leaned back in surprise, away from the crazy man. The man ripped off his shirt. Again. "What person could feel something other than childlike wonder when gazing at these muscles!"
In a panic, Wrath looked desperately around for someone to save him. He groaned when he saw Winry in a heap on the ground. She fainted! He couldn't blame the girl... wait. Was that a nosebleed?
In a panic, Wrath threw himself off the table to get away from Alex.
Of course, when you have doting war alchemists with amazing reflexes, that doesn't turn out how you want it.
Alex somehow got to him in time to catch him, and Wrath froze, completely stunned, pinned against Alex's chest.
"Are you well, my dearest child?"
Wrath's face burned, pressed into the mixed hard-soft of Alex's chest. He pulled away just a bit, gasping for air.
Alex smells good. His fuzzy brain thought hazily. The man did, actually; contrary to popular belief, he did not wear cologne. Instead, he smelled normal- like skin, and the faint metallic scent of sweat, not enough to be unpleasant.
What the hell am I thinking! He thought as the blood finally got to his brain. He jerked away, his fist connecting with the side of Alex's face. "Let go of me!" He yelped.
Alex dropped him, looking quite surprised. Wrath, unused to not having all of his limbs, toppled over again, but caught himself on the table.
"Ah! Allow me to apologize! The sight of my muscles should-"
Oh, no. Alex wasn't going to take anything else off, was he?
X
How can anyone waste so much money on all this!
Wrath stared, appalled, at the Armstrong Manor.
Statues. Fountains. More statues. Gold. Silver. More statues. More fountains. Expensive gardens. More statues. And all of the statues looked like Alex.
What kind of waste was this? He wondered. Wrath unconsciously stepped closer to Alex, feeling quite uncomfortable. He liked the wilderness, trees and clearings and bushes and mice and animals and wildness.
It didn't look like this manor had anything like that.
"Wrath?" Alex laid a hand on his shoulder. "Are you well?"
"It's so controlled." Wrath said, eyes wide.
"Hm?" Alex dropped to one knee in front of him.
Wrath flinched. "It's nothing." He said curtly. He started forward, leaving Alex behind. To his credit, the large man caught up far faster than someone his size should have been able to. Stubborn bastard.
"If you truly wish, I could create somewhere for you." Alex offered.
Wrath blinked, startled by the request. No one had offered something like that before. "What do you want in return?" He asked tremulously. Envy had given him the Stones in return for Wrath to do his dirty work. Dante had taken him in in return for his services. What would Alex want? He really wanted a place of his own. He suddenly realized he'd never wanted anything so much. Alex would know how much he wanted it. Wrath felt a spark of fear. Alex could ask for anything, and Wrath would give it to him. He prepared himself.
"Eh?" Alex blinked. "Why would I want anything in return?"
Wrath stared, eyes wide. Alex hadn't wanted anything? "Surely you want... something." Wrath protested. "Everyone does."
Alex shook his head. "No, I just want to help you."
"I don't believe you." Wrath frowned. "Everyone wants something. You've got all this money, so it can't be that. You're powerful, so you wouldn't need me to kill someone for you." He ignored Alex's widening eyes. "Really, I can only think of a few things someone like you could want." He winced. "And out of those, I only have one. My body. If you can think of something else, great, but don't pretend that you don't want something from me, even if that's not it." He refused to look at Alex, turning away.
A large hand landed on him automail shoulder and pulled him around. Startled, he looked up at Alex's eyes. The cool blue depths roiled with anger. "I know what I want." He growled. "I want you to never assume anything like that about me again!" He pulled Wrath into a rough hug. Wrath squeaked. "I don't know who put these ideas into your head, dearest one, but I will remove them!" Alex vowed. "I will not have you believe humanity is evil."
Wrath blushed. No way is someone this kind. He thought. He called me 'dearest one?' What does that mean? Does he actually care about me? No, that can't be it. We practically just met, anyway.
"Dearest, come with me." He pulled away and took Wrath's hand. "Have you ever had cookies?"
"Cookies? What are cookies?" Wrath asked.
"Dearest one! You don't even know what they are?"
"No... what kind of word is 'cookies?'"
x
Wrath still hadn't figured out who came up with the word 'cookies' but whoever came up with the things themselves was a God in Wrath's eyes.
Chocolate chip cookies were divine. The melty chocolate that just filled your mouth, the sweet and golden brown goodness that made up the dough, the heat that filled your mouth, the warm, home-like smell that just pervaded your nostrils and made you want to eat them forever.
Wrath had eaten about twenty of them and was watching the stove for the next batch. Bake, bake, bake! He chanted in his head. Come on, hurry up! Smells so good!
At first, he'd been apprehensive. What on earth could a 'cookie' be? It couldn't be anything really good ,with a name like he'd smelled them, and pessimist that we was, had thought they wouldn't be as good as they smelled. He was right. They were better.
"Dearest, you have a bit of chocolate on your chin." Alex laughed and handed Wrath a napkin.
Wrath flushed and wiped his face. "But they're so good!" He protested as a defense. They were ,even if they made one thirsty. Milk washed it right down, and they were really good dipped in the milk, too.
"Yes, they are, and you've had too many already. You're due for a dreadful stomach ache."
"I don't get stomach aches!" Wrath pleaded. He really, really wanted that next batch.
Alex sighed. "I don't believe you. Come, I'll take you to a room for you to sleep."
He ended up dragging Wrath away with his superior strength. How was the man stronger than a Homunculus, even one as pathetic as Wrath? As the door closed behind them, Wrath glared at Alex. "No fair." He said, pouting. "I wanted more cookies."
"Dearest, I will spoil you rotten, I swear. The cookies will be there in the morning. But I must keep you healthy, or you'll never get to this point! Behold!"
Wrath sighed as the man ripped off his shirt, cheeks burning for some odd reason Wrath couldn't fathom. Just when he was starting to act normal.
"No, I'm joking." Alex chuckled. "I only truly do that when those I don't quite trust are around." He put his shirt back on, not bothering to fix the countless medals and military attachments. Wrath knew he'd probably never know what they all meant.
Wrath blinked. "You trust me?" He asked, startled. Trust was an odd thing to Wrath- he'd trusted Ed at first, but all he'd gotten in return was hatred and hostility. He'd trusted Alphonse, and Alphonse had literally wanted to rip off his limbs. Okay, so they were actually Edward's, but still! He'd trusted Izumi, and she had tried to strangle him. He'd trusted Dante, and she'd stolen his limbs from him just to keep him from talking! He'd almost trusted Envy, but the damn palm tree had betrayed him too.
He'd decided not to trust.
"Yes."
"You don't trust Mustang, or Edward, or Alphonse?" Wrath asked wonderingly. His throat tried to close up at the thought. Even though he'd trusted people, they'd never trusted him. Even, Sloth, his mommy, hadn't really trusted him. Whenever he'd made a sudden move, she' always lash out, even though she'd apologize afterward. Trust was about as alien to him as Alex himself was.
"No, I don't." Alex smiled. "I act more single-minded, or simpleminded, than I actually am around them to hide my knowledge. If I were to reveal some things, I would be killed. I am not quite so daring as I would have them believe."
"What things?" Wrath asked.
"Mostly alchemy. Some politics. Say, dearest, how old are you?" Alex quickly changed the subject, clearly not wanting to talk about it anymore. Wrath noticed, but decided to let it go. The man must have a reason, after all, and Wrath could not fault him for caution.
"Well, in human years, I'm ten 'an a haf!'" Wrath joked. Alex smiled. "But in the Gate, time runs differently. Mentally, I'm around nineteen or twenty."
"I see. What is your favorite activity?"
"Practicing alchemy."
"You're an alchemist?" Alex flashed him a surprised look, his eyebrows- or lack thereof- raising.
Wrath winced. "Was." He said bitterly. "I can't do it anymore." Without a trace of human in him, he couldn't access the Gate. The Gate opened only to real humans.
"Why not?" Alex asked. "Surely you still remember it all?" Yeah, Wrath thought. I remember composition, atomic numbers, compounds, everything. But it's useless without the Gate.
"Alex, have you forgotten what I am?" Wrath asked, startled. Alex couldn't have forgotten Wrath was a homunculus, right? The man had actually fought to catch him for that reason once!
"No. You're a Homunculus." Alex's eyes were amazingly calm. How can he just accept it? How can he treat me like a human?
"Exactly. And without human limbs, I cannot do alchemy." Wrath sighed.
Alex clapped him on the shoulder. Wrath winced, that was the automail shoulder which was still a little sore. "Well, even if you cannot, I can. I'm willing to help any way I can."
"How could you do that?"
"Come morning, and you shall know, dearest."
"Why do you keep calling me dearest?"Wrath grumbled, embarrassed and a bit put off from the nickname. The stupidest nickname he'd had before Alex had come along had been Wrathy, and that was bad enough. 'Dearest' felt like something you'd call a lover, and Wrath was completely sure he and Alex would never end up that way. (A/N: *snicker*)
"Because you are." Alex smiled.
"How?" Wrath demanded, clenching flesh and metal fists.
Alex smiled. He ruffled Wrath's hair. Wrath winced away, knocking Alex's arm away with his automail fist. "Dearest, calm yourself." The man chastised.
"Stop calling me that!" Wrath flared up.
"No." Alex said, unruffled. "I like calling you that."
"Why?" Wrath grumbled, subsiding. Alex ruffled his hair again, and this time, Wrath didn't bother reacting. Crazy bastard! He thought, glaring at the man underneath his hair.
Alex stood up. "I will come in the morning. There is much to do tomorrow." He said, giving Wrath one more smile. "Sleep well, dearest. And who couldn't, with a heartwarming sight such as this!" Alex made to take off his shirt, but stopped when Wrath winced away. "Does that truly bother you?" He asked, smiling. "Or are you just embarrassed to admit you truly love my muscles?"
"S-shut up!" Wrath yelped. "Pervert!"
Alex just laughed. "Oh, dearest, you know I was joking." Alex chastised. "Good night, dearest."
Wrath mumbled something slightly incoherent. Alex chuckled, and Wrath flushed, glaring at the man.
"Just go away already."
"As you wish, dearest."
x
A/N: Happy birthday Connie! Here's the first chapter, hope you enjoy. It's a little short, but I want to get at least some of it up soon. Should have the next part up soon.